Please watch the video and leave comments!
]]>Please watch the video and leave comments!
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Please watch the video and leave comments!
]]>Please watch the video and leave comments!
]]>Please watch the video and leave comments!
]]>At the end of 2018, going into 2019, I had my own plans for my life in which I simply inserted God. He quickly let me know that this was not the way that I was meant to live my life. Every idea that I had formulated in my mind and started to execute was shut down by the hand of God leaving me gracefully broken and evaluating myself and my motives. My life that appeared to be falling apart was actually falling perfectly into place.
Even though I have taken full responsibility for my actions of moving without God, He still used the negative for my good. Without the shut down of the school/doctoral program that I was attending, I would have been stuck in a field unbefitting for my purpose. Without the heartbreak result of a rough relationship, I would not have been able to understand my worth, my calling, and my true, inner beauty, and eventually be healed. The lack of money pushed me to depend more on God, utilize the resources that He provided me, and comprehend from where my true security flows resulting in much increase. The isolation and feelings of loneliness allowed me to clearly hear the voice of God, limit my intake of those things that did not benefit me, and ultimately, arrive at multiple God-given purposes.
The mishaps and alternate routes led me to first begin my writing journey. Journaling during my hard times and knowing that others have dealt with some issues that I dealt with pushed me to write a novel. Stigmata includes glimpses into the lessons that I learned, different versions of my own obstacles, and Words from God that I received from reading the Bible and through my dreams.
Wanting more, not settling, accepting my gift of administration, and knowing that I am meant to live a life of humbleness, service, fulfillment, and success opened my mind up to the calling of starting S. D. Administrative Consulting, LLC. People who work for God and people that work in the mental health realm need help and my purpose is to serve them.
The lessons that I learned in my struggle do not stop at these two projects. There is much more to come and even more to learn.
How do your previous struggles contribute to your current purposes?
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Let me know some things that kept you all moving forward towards the purpose for your life.
]]>Here is an interesting story:
I go to a hair salon in Atlanta, Ga called Bishops. This place is nice with great and experienced hair stylists, just in case you ever need your hair done. Since the first day I went there in July, I had been asking them about their art on the art wall. Every time I would go, I would ask about the art and whether or not it was for sale. The last time I went, I asked about one particular piece. It happened to be my favorite and my hairstylist mentioned to me that they had two of the same one. I asked if I could buy one of them and she told me that she would check.
I decided that I wanted to purchase the art from the artist. I looked him up on Instagram and “slid in his Dm’s,” but right before I did that, I received the great idea to ask him to do my book cover art. I had no faith that he would respond to me, because why would he respond to one person out of his 40-something thousand followers, especially since he is in Australia and I am in the USA?
I was wrong. Soon after that direct message, we were on the phone speaking about the cover that I wanted for my book. Not long after that conversation, I had, in my possession, what I believed to be the greatest art in the world.
I honestly couldn’t believe that I stepped out of my comfort zone and contacted someone in what was an uncomfortable manner for me. Nevertheless, it worked out. I cannot thank Mr. Loui Jover enough for working with me, my numerous requests, and our extreme time difference.
Moral of the story: Don’t allow the fear of being rejected or being uncomfortable to stop you from going for what you want.
What are some interesting stories of when you stepped outside of your comfort zone and it led to success?
]]>A stigmata is the plural form of stigma, but it also refers to the marks left on Christ’s body by way of crucifixion.
So, why would I name my book something that is associated with such negativity?
Well, one portion of the book addresses how we are living in a time where going to counseling and seeking mental help is more accepted, but many are still not willing to go this route or speak in depth about it. There are many people that still believe that they "have it under control" when they may not, or they simply claim that "God will handle it." Even though I believe these things to be true to an extent, I also know that God, The Source, provides us with resources and it is up to us to utilize the tools for better health. The stigma is what holds us back from reaching optimum mental health.
The term “stigmata” comes into play when you think a little deeper. When Christ died for our sins by way of crucifixion, we were able to be made whole, be healed, be forgiven, and be born again by His stripes.
This all connects to the novel because it is about the process of a young lady who is on a journey towards becoming whole, encounters many unique and difficult obstacles along the way, and finds healing through the resources of which she soon realizes were a part of God’s plan for her to utilize.
How do the terms “stigma” and “stigmata" apply to your life?
]]>At the end of 2019, I entered my season of development. I was led to become a writer and a business owner. The business owner portion was simple, for the most part. I was confident in my God-given gift of administration, which meant that I had to take the steps to build clientele and make my business official through the state. The process of becoming an author was a bit more complicated.
When I knew that I wanted to begin writing a book, I contacted an author that I was associated with and spoke with her about my desire. This same lady, Brittney Jackson, become my editor and publisher. After this, it was up to me to come up with a concept, establish my plot, and put action behind my thoughts. There were many ups and downs. Sometimes, I was motivated and I could write for hours. Other times, I questioned what I was doing and I even concerned myself with whether or not people would want to read what I put out into the world. The alignments with my life and the spiritual parts of my book provided me with confirmations that reminded me that I was doing what I was called to do. God continued to give me the push that I needed until I was done, regardless of my own defeating thoughts. I experienced bouts of anxiety as my book was coming to an end, but I was confident in what I had written.
It turned out that the journey taught me multiple things:
-God will let me know when I am doing the right and the wrong thing.
-My value and abilities are not dependent upon the temporary thoughts and feelings of people. They are determined by the One who never changes.
-I have a true love for mental health and touching the lives of others. These things allowed me to produce an entertaining but impactful fiction novel.
-Writing is my destiny and this will not be the only book that I will write.
Now that the journey of writing this specific book is complete, I am in a different season where I get to experience the impacts of my book as it reaches you all and beyond.